15 Benefits of Quitting Smoking

The benefits of quitting smoking are numerous, and if you are committed to stopping, then you are on the road to increased health, wealth, and happiness.

We have long known the serious health risks from smoking, and more and more people are making the positive decision to quit smoking for good. The benefits of quitting smoking are massive, and keeping them in mind as the addictive nicotine and chemicals leave your body can aid your determination.

A change in mindset is imperative in shifting how we look at smoking, and once we have understood how quitting can improve our lives, we can move forward into a smoke-free future.

Cigarettes are filled with carcinogens, which can cause serious health problems, so quitting enhances life expectancy and quality of life. But this isn’t all. Here are our top 15 benefits of quitting smoking.

Physical Health

Of all the benefits of quitting smoking, perhaps the most important is that it may prolong your life. Many smokers die younger than they would if they did not smoke, and those who quit can add years that may have otherwise been lost. Although those who have never smoked may have the best longevity chances, it is never too late to kick the habit. Here’s why:

1. Quitting smoking reduces the chances of cancer. Cancer and cancer-related diseases are more prevalent in smokers, particularly lung cancer. In the US, smoking is linked to 80-90% percent of lung cancer deaths.

2. Stopping smoking also reduces the chances of heart-related disease and high blood pressure. In turn, this makes it easier for oxygen to flow through the body and will result in better breathing. Who doesn’t want to be able to breathe deeply and freely? That smoker’s cough you may have developed will also ease with a little time as lung capacity improves. So a huge benefit of quitting smoking is that you’ll have a much healthier heart.

3. You’ll notice improved sleep. Nicotine disrupts sleep, and smokers can also develop sleeping conditions, such as sleep apnea. Good sleep is beneficial to a healthy, well-functioning body, and the body repairs itself during a repetition of sleep cycles. Allow yourself time to heal and get plenty of sleep while your body repairs itself.

4. Another physical benefit of quitting smoking is your facial appearance. After the toxins have left the body and the healing process begins, you may notice better skin, and fewer wrinkles. Smoking can affect the production of collagen, and so stopping smoking can slow facial aging and delay the onset of wrinkles. You may also find that lines around the lips and cheeks lessen due to the lack of puffing away on cigarettes. 

5. Talking about physical appearance, there’s more. Quitting smoking will likely also result in whiter teeth, better breath, and no more smelly yellow fingers. Tobacco stains what it is in regular contact with, and its smell is unpleasant to most people. The smell lingers, especially on a person’s breath. As an extra bonus, non and ex-smokers are less likely than smokers to suffer from gum disease and to lose their teeth prematurely.

6. If you are driven to help those around you, also consider that quitting smoking can improve the health of those around you. Your non-smoking friends and family will be affected by your smoking if you smoke around them. Passive smoking can increase a non-smoker’s risk of smoking-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Children are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke and can suffer chest and lung illnesses and diseases, including pneumonia, croup, bronchitis, and asthma. Keep your loved ones safe.

Mental Health

Another benefit of quitting smoking is an increase in mental well-being. How?

7. Smoking can increase feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression. So by quitting smoking, you can expect a change in your moods. You should notice a decline in tension and anxiety once you have gone through the quitting process, and this will lead to improved moods and a sense of calm. Most smokers will know the anxiety of not being able to have a cigarette or the need to have one after a certain period of time. This is because nicotine actually makes smokers stressed from the ‘withdrawal’ between cigarettes. Smoking does not calm you down — it is the cause of extra tension.

8. By quitting smoking, you will likely feel a huge sense of achievement, and this will improve overall self-esteem. You can, and should, feel extremely proud of yourself for kicking an addiction and improving your overall life and well-being.

9. One more benefit of being smoke-free is that it may make you address other areas in your life that you may wish to change. Your improved sense of self and boost to your health may make it clear if any other shifts may also benefit you, such as a change in anything else which may be overpowering your life or a shift in your diet or fitness regime.

More in Your Pocket

Who doesn’t want to save money? Smoking is extremely expensive, so why pay for something that does you no good whatsoever? A weighty benefit to quitting smoking is that you’ll save a load of cash, and can use it for something much more exciting instead.

10. Accorging to Lung.org, Smokers can save between $1,380 and $2,540 annually by quitting a pack-a-day habit. This is an average calculation, so heavier smokers can save even more by giving up the habit.

11. Think of the money you’ll save on health bills.

12. Smokers usually have to pay a higher health insurance premiums, and may struggle to get life insurance. All this adds-up. You can save yourself the effort by quitting, and moving into a healthier, happier and more abundant life.

Oh, the Food….

Those who have quit smoking often report that food tastes oh so much better and begin to enjoy eating delicious meals once again. This is due to a few factors:

13. Your sense of smell will dramatically improve. Things you have forgotten about begin to smell good now that your system isn’t clogged with tobacco, nicotine, and other damaging chemicals. Start to wake up and smell the coffee…

14. Smell is hugely associated with taste. You are almost guaranteed to savor and enjoy your food better.

And there we have it. Wait, we said 15 benefits to quitting smoking, didn’t we? So, we are missing one….

Well, it’s a bit cheeky, but for a smile, we have saved this one until last. Here’s number 15:

15. Stopping smoking can improve blood flow, so, as a result, improves sensitivity. Men who stop smoking may experience better erections, and orgasms may improve due to increased blood flow and heightened arousal. So, our last benefit of quitting smoking may be that sex is better. Add into this that the increase in oxygen from not smoking makes you less drowsy and prone to headaches, and you may be onto a winner…

Read more:

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